When Gayatri found comfort in a stranger at Aditya Birla | On the occasion of Women’s Day, Aditya Birla Chemicals Mumbai transformed into a space of warmth, expression, and connection. Two mindless art workshops, led by Gayatri Gupta, brought together 85+ women employees to let go, laugh, and truly engage with one another. The room was filled with a kind of joy that felt effortless. Born with Down syndrome, Gayatri’s journey has been one of courage, supported deeply by her family. She is usually most comfortable in the presence of her mother. But that day, something shifted. As the session unfolded, Gayatri found a new sense of comfort with Chaitali. She held her hand, gently moving across the room, stopping by each participant, sharing smiles and moments over their mindless art. It was natural, unforced, and quietly beautiful. From a distance, her mother, Shalini, watched with a smile and a sense of awe, witnessing a connection so pure and precious. That session didn’t just create art, but bonds that words can hardly capture and isn’t that what inclusion is all about? | She proved that life is indeed about trying: Story of Kavita | Kavita was a child with a locomotor disability, and her first challenge came early when a school refused her admission. Growing up, she was often held back from activities “for safety,” which left her wondering, how can anyone decide what I can’t do if I’m never allowed to try? That question stayed with her when she dreamed of working in Mumbai. People warned her about the challenges of travelling and other associated risks. Yet, she chose to TRY. After many attempts, she got an opportunity with a leading paint manufacturing company. She began navigating the city on her own every day and yes, there were falls, but she got up each time. What built her confidence further was how her team trusted her, treated her equally, and gave her the space to grow. But life was not done testing her. A ligament injury forced her to pause, and it became one of the toughest phases of her life. Yet, she TRIED again. Through Atypical Advantage, she then got an opportunity at Indian Welfare Trust. Although, people still have their opinions, but Kavita now lives by a simple belief: “You can’t measure your limits until you try.” | When Vineet shared a common platform with PM Narendra Modi | Recognizing Atypical’s continued work in creating livelihood and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, invited Vineet Saraiwala, Founder & CEO of Atypical Advantage, to participate as a panelist in the Post-Budget Webinar on Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The session was organized to gather key stakeholder insights on implementing the government’s vision for employment-linked skilling of persons with disabilities, especially across sectors like IT, AVGC, hospitality, and food & beverages. It was a proud moment for us to contribute to conversations around inclusion that can translate into real, scalable opportunities. | Let's understand Down Syndrome with a simple example | | Imagine you’re following a recipe to bake a cake. Most people have one copy of the recipe, but a person with Down syndrome has an extra copy of the same recipe page. Because of that, they might take a bit longer to follow the steps or do things slightly differently, but they can still bake a beautiful cake in the end. Down syndrome is a condition that a person is born with. Usually, our body’s cells have 46 chromosomes that guide our body on how to grow and function. A person with Down syndrome has an extra copy of chromosome number 21. Because of this extra “instruction,” their body and brain may learn things more slowly, have certain physical features, and might need a bit more support, but they can still go to school, work, build friendships, and live happy, meaningful lives. Let’s come together to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, recognizing their abilities, individuality, and the joy they bring to the world. Not just for today, but every day, starting today. | Cinema becomes more inclusive as accessibility norms open theatre doors | A landmark shift in India’s entertainment landscape is making cinema more accessible for persons with disabilities. With new mandates requiring films to include audio descriptions and closed captions, theatres are becoming more inclusive spaces for audiences with visual and hearing impairments. Rooted in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, this move marks a long-overdue transition from exclusion to equal participation in one of India’s most powerful cultural experiences. (Source: Indian Express) | Accessibility in housing gets a push as Allahabad HC mandates inclusive residential design | In a significant step towards inclusive living, the Allahabad High Court has directed authorities in Uttar Pradesh to ensure that residential complexes provide accessible parking spaces and seamless access to common facilities for persons with disabilities. The court emphasized that accessibility is a fundamental right, not just in public spaces but also in community living environments. It also mandated that disability-friendly guidelines be enforced at the building approval stage, ensuring features like clear access to lifts, pavements, and shared amenities are built into residential planning from the start. (Source: Hindustan Times) | Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 50,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 500+ corporates within a short span of 5 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here. | |
